Why Lady Gaga’s New Make-Under Is Turning Heads

When Lady Gaga first stepped onto the world she was a sparkly confection of fantasy fashion. Since then, we’ve seen the pop sensation spearhead some of the most outré trends in recent history, including the raw meat dress and the Elizabethan-gone-fetish look, one that she wore to meet HRH Queen Elizabeth II herself. This year has seen the 29-year-old New York City native step away from that avant-garde edge and focus on a quieter sensibility. She took to the Oscar red carpet in a custom Azzedine Alaïa dress that read classic Hollywood glamour—save for the red leather gloves—then cozied up to fashion’s It boy Alexander Wang,attending his show for Balenciaga in Paris, wearing a slit front LBD. “When I found a sense of inner peace, I began embracing the more glamorous side of myself,” said Gaga when we spoke with her earlier this year. “I wouldn’t say that my fashion has changed as much as I’d say I’ve changed on the inside.”

And that new aspect of her character has come out in full force this week with Gaga stepping out in a bevy of pared-back, and pardon the pun, ladylike ensembles, including fitted boucle sheaths, cascading neo-Grecian looks, and metallic Tome trench-dresses. As she takes to the streets of her hometown, Gaga’s make-under is right in line with her current status as a wife-to-be (she’s engaged to Taylor Kinney) and her new musical direction; her tour with American pop veteran Tony Bennett kicks off later this month and runs through to the end of July. Where she’ll go next? Gaga only knows.